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Owning a pet is never easy. Just thinking about the cost of vet bills alone is enough to make anyone shudder but the amount of love and attention a pet can give someone can last a lifetime.
However, for dog owners, a trainer has asked the question: 'Does your pet love or just tolerate you?' And it seems like it has all to do with your pooch's behaviour, according
to Enric Rodríguez, a renowned dog trainer. He has highlighted traits to look out for to determine whether your bond with your pet is based on trust or just as a food provider. Enric shared
a video on TikTok, he said: "Trust is not earned with food alone but with safe and consistent experiences. Here are some clear signs that your dog trusts you. First, it looks for you
when it doesn’t feel safe. "If something scares it, it goes to you to feel safer. Second, it sleeps deeply near you. "A dog that relaxes by your side shows that it feels safe.
Third, it accepts manipulation without tension. "If it lets you touch its paws, ears, belly, it indicates that it feels comfortable with you. Does it pay attention to you even without
food? "That shows you're valuable beyond rewards. Fifth, does it follow you without being asked? "Not because of anxiety but because it enjoys your company. These small signs
are usually the reflection of a link created with respect, patience and coherence." People took to the comment section to share their pet experiences. One person wrote: "My puppy
doesn't like me he wants to bite me all day long." Another wrote: "Everything except not letting you touch his paws or ears because!!!" and a third commented:
"Hello! I have a 1-year-and-2-month-old dog with serious separation anxiety issues. He cries when he's alone, and even if I lock myself in a room, he'll eat anything when
he's alone..." However, not everyone's experience was negative. One person said: "Mine is currently lying on the sofa at my feet, belly up, and the lady is snoring."
Another added: "My Chihuahua meets all the points mentioned in the video, so I deduce that he loves me. Of course, if he's resting and I try to pick him up, he gets aggressive,
and if he's snuggled up with my mother, even more so."